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Idlib: big turban permanently unwound, Syrian army and air force prep for action
 High ranking jihadist commander assassinated in northwest Syria [AlMasdar] (11:00 A.M.) – A high ranking jihadist commander was assassinated in northwestern Syria, today, after his struck a roadside bomb in the Idlib province. According to pro-opposition activists inside the Idlib Governorate, the military commander of Tanzim Hurras al-Deen “Abu Zubeir” was killed on Wednesday when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb that was planted by unknown assailants near the Hama province. While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, opposition activists have taken to social media to blame the Syrian Arab Army and Russian military for the assassination. Tanzim Hurras Al-Deen was one of the jihadist factions that rejected the Idlib agreement and called on other groups to attack the Syrian Arab Army and Russian military in northwest Syria. Tanzim Hurras Al-Deen is also one of the largest foreign jihadist groups that is currently operating in northwest Syria. Tiger Forces begin military drills in east Idlib as buffer zone agreement hangs in the balance (video) [AlMasdar] (12:00 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) troops in northwest Syria have been placed on high alert, as the buffer zone agreement hangs in the balance. Led by their elite Tiger Forces, the Syrian Arab Army has begun military drills and training exercises in the eastern countryside of the Idlib Governorate this week. The military drills were overseen by the prominent commander of the Tiger Forces, Major General Suheil Al-Hassan, who made his first appearance in the Idlib province this month. As shown in the video below, the Tiger Forces were training in a wide-open area close to the front-lines; it is very likely near the Abu Dhuhour Military Airport:
While the 4th Division has been redeployed to southern Syria to help with the Islamic State offensive, the Tiger Forces and Liwaa Al-Quds have remained near the Idlib front in case the jihadist rebels refuse to leave the buffer zone. As of now, no military operation is planned in northwest Syria; however, this could change in the next week if Turkey does not convince the jihadist rebels to withdraw from the buffer zone. Syrian Air Force begins maneuvers along Idlib buffer zone (video) [AlMasdar] (1:45 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) began their maneuvers along the Idlib buffer zone, yesterday, the official media wing of the Tiger Forces reported. The Tiger Forces released a video that showed an attack chopper moving across what they claimed was the Idlib provincial border. The chopper could be seen flying over the area, marking the first time since the Sochi agreement was put in place that the Syrian Air Force has been active over near the jihadist front-lines. While no airstrikes have been launched, the Syrian Air Force’s maneuvers are likely being conducted for training purposes and to increase the pressure on the jihadist fighters that have refused to leave the Idlib buffer zone. Both Russia and Turkey are currently in talks about the situation around the Idlib buffer zone; they have both stated that the deal is still on, but that it is taking longer than needed to implement. A source in nearby Mhardeh told Al-Masdar that the Syrian Army is on high alert and will remain at the front-lines until the situation is clarified. Syrian Army placed on high alert as jihadists remain inside buffer zone [AlMasdar] (1:25 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has been placed on high alert across the Idlib buffer zone after the jihadist rebels refused to withdraw from the designated de-escalation areas. According to a military source in the city of Mhardeh, many units from the Syrian Arab Army and National Defense Forces (NDF) have been ordered to the front-lines and told to remain on high alert. The military source said that the Syrian Arab Army has been observing the jihadist movements over the last 24 hours and targeting any militant that attempts to infiltrate their positions across the Hama-Idlib axis. Last night, Syrian Army snipers eliminated two members of the Turkish-backed National Liberation Front (NLF) that were spotted trying to move towards the military’s lines. The Syrian Army snipers reportedly used their thermal rifles to kill the two rebels that were likely attempting to plant bombs along the government roads near the Idlib buffer zone. The jihadist rebels and their allies often conduct late night operations where they slip behind the government’s lines and plant IEDs and mines along these roads; these roadside bombs can kill up to a dozen soldiers at a time, especially if it is a transport vehicle. Posted by: trailing wife 2018-10-18 |
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